Yu Jin's birthdate is unknown, however he is a native of Taishan in Yanzhou.[1] During the uprising in the Later Han known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion, a peasant uprising using the mask of anti-corruption as a justification for general banditry, a local warlord named Bao Xin was recruiting people to fight back against the rebels on order of the General-in Chief He Jin.[2] Yu Jin went to serve him immediately. Several years later in 192 Bao Xin would hand over Yanzhou to Wu-di, Cao Cao, however he died in a battle with a remnant of the rebels.[3]

An officer under Cao Cao named Wang Lang recommended Yu Jin as a man of true military talent; one worthy of high command. Wu-di and Yu Jin spoke for some time together, this ended with Yu Jin being appointed to a position as major.[4] In 193 Wu-di would launch an attack on Tao Qian of Xuzhou. Previously a man named Que Xuan of Xiapi declared himself Emperor, being one of many pretenders to come in the dying years of the Han, and Tao Qian would raise troops in support of him. However he ended up betraying Que Xuan and killing him, assuming his strength. He proceeded to pillage Taishan and Renchang in Yanzhou.[5][6][7] Yu Jin was given command of a small regiment and sent to attack Guangwei in Pengcheng, which he seized and was eneoffed as it's commandant.[8] This campaign is often misidentified as Cao Cao seeking revenge for the death of his father, Cao Song, at the hands of Tao Qian. This is inaccurate. Cao Song's death took place after this campaign had happened in 194. He was killed near Langye which was where Cao Cao happened to massacre in the 194 invasion which was more than likely born out of a desire to avenge his father. The brutal slaughter of the area around Xiapi as shown in the 193 was more than likely punishment for the local populace supporting Que Xuan's Imperial ambitions.

A year later in 194 Wu-di was forced to abandon the seized territory as Yanzhou, his defacto base of operations, was attacked by a former subordinate of Dong Zhuo; Lu Bu. Yu Jin participated in the siege on Puyang, and with his own independent role he would attack and decimate two camps of Lu Bu's. He then proceeded to march to Dongping where he defeated Gao Ya.[9] Yu Jin returned to the main army and played a pivotal role in the recapturing of several counties including Tingtao, Ligu and Shouzhang. He was also a major player in the surrounding and capture of Yangqiu in Chenliu, and the defeat of Zhang Chao which saw the end of the rebellion in Yanzhou.[10]

Two years later, in 196, Wu-di lead campaign against the Yellow Turbans of Runan and Yingchuan under Liu Pi and Huang Shao. The Imperial army would be stationed at Panliang, however during the night the rebels attempted to launch a surprise attack on the camp. Yu Jin was prepared for this and he rallied the soldiers, delivering a great defeat and even killing Huang Shao and his cohorts, siezing all their supplies. [11] Yu Jin was made a colonel for his efforts. [12]

In the year 197 Wu-di had established the Imperial Han court in Xu city, and soon set his sights upon Nanyang to the west, and Jingzhou in the south. Zhang Xiu of Nanyang and Liu Biao of Jingzhou were allies and sought to resist Wu-di together. However when Wu-di's army came to Zhang Xiu's capital of Wancheng he surrendered. It is said that this victory made Wu-di overconfident and thought very little of his surrendered foe, treating him very poorly.[13] There sis aid to be an attempt to bribe Hu Che'er to his side.[14] He also took the widow of Zhang Xiu's brother into his bed. [15] This treatment made Zhang Xiu furious and in the night he would strike Wu-di's camp, causing a mass panic. In the chaos Wu-di's horse was killed and his eldest son Prince Min, Cao Ang, offered his horse for his father to flee. The Prince was killed as was his nephew Anmin, along with a retainer named Dian Wei whose last stand struck fear into the hearts of the rebels before dying from his wounds.[16] Zhang Xiu's forces chased after Wu-di, however Yu Jin was able to organize the soldiers and form a defensive camp in the chaos. Yu Jin soon learned of the infamous Qingzhou troops, former Yellow Turbans, that were pillaging and causing general chaos. Wu-di had always treated them well but Yu Jin felt harsh action needed to be taken, so he attacked them as bandits and they fled to Wu-di. Yu Jin was summoned to meet with Wu Di, however he continued to construct the camp with walls and trenches, once it was done Yu Jin finally went to see his lord. Wu-di and Yu Jin spoke, and Yu Jin explained his reasoning, stating that the enemy troops were nearby and could catch up at any time, so if they were are not prepared now how can they ever defeat them? Cao Cao admired this and accepted his reasoning, stating

“The trouble at Yu Shui is my direst hour. You have managed to control your troops amidst such chaos to fight off these enemies and to hold the position. You have shown the virtue of loyalty and steadfastness. Even the generals of ancient times are no match for you.”[17]

Yu Jin was eneoffed as a village marquis,[18] Marquis of Continuous Longevity.[19] Yu Jin participated in the further campaign against Zhang Xiu at Rang, defeating him there. He also served with distinction against Lu Bu in Xiapi and Sui Gu at Siquan, even killing Sui Gu\[20] He took part in operations against Yuan Shu and defeated Sui Gu.[21]

With control over much of Zhongyuan it was inevitable that Wu-di and Yuan Shao would fight. This campaign would see Yu Jin serving in a very vital role. He was sent to Liyang with 2,000 men on the north bank of the Yellow River. His position blocked Yuan Shao was using the Yan ford to cross to Cao Cao's main line at Guandu. [22] In 200 Yuan Shao's ally, the bandit Liu Bei, caused an uprising in Xuzhou which forced Wu-di to turn his attention to it. However because of Yu Jin Yuan shao was not able to make his move against Guandu.[23] Yu Jin was then tasked with joining Yue Jin and 5,000 soldiers in leading a gorilla style campaign on Yuan Shao's camps along with the Yellow River while the main army of Yuan Shao was on the move. They lead a campaign of destruction from Yanjin all the way to Hujia, burning over 30 forts, killing and capturing thousands of men. Two of Yuan Shao's top generals named He Mao and Wang Mo surrendered along with twenty others.[24] Yu Jin then lead a separate raid in Henan and destroyed a Yuan camp, which impressed Wu-di who promoted him to major-general.[25] Yu Jin joined Wu-di at Guandu after this. The camps were not that far from one another and this allowed Yuan Shao to fire arrows into Wu-di's camp, killing dozens of men. The soldiers were terrified of this, however Yu Jin stood up and rallied the soldiers, fighting off the assaulting rebels and defeating Yuan Shao. He would become Lieutenant-General for his brave efforts.[26]

Once more the bandit Liu Bei led assaults on Imperial lands, raiding She country. Wu-di sent Xiahou Dun, along with Li Dian and Yu Jin to put down the insurgents. When the Imperial army arrived Liu Bei burned his camps and fled. Li Dian warned this would be a trap, however Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin persued the enemy and fell into an ambush. However they were able to overcome it and deal Liu Bei a defeat and he fled. [27]

In 206 Yu Jin was sent to deal with a rebellion in Taishan under Changxi, an old friend of Yu Jin's. He had surrendered to Cao Cao previously, and after a short siege had done so again. The men beneath Yu Jin requested that he be sent to Cao Cao as a prisoner, however Yu Jin stated Cao Cao has a rule: An enemy that surrenders after being surrounded deserves no pardon. Yu Jin, with tears in his eyes, executed his own friend. When Cao Cao heard of this he sighed in admiration and admired Yu Jin's adherence to law and order. Yu Jin would become a full general after this, General of Tiger's Might.[28]

In 208 Yu Jin was sent along with Yue Jin and Zhang Liao to Jingzhou, to serve as the frontier against Liu Biao. The three of them did not get along, the specifics are not mentioned, so Wu-di was forced to sent Zhao Yan make sure the three of them cooperated. Shortly after this Liu Biao would die and his son Zong succeeded, who then surrendered his rebel father's lands back to the court. [29]

Mei Cheng and Chen Lan, in cooperation with Sun Quan of the Southlands, instigated a revolt in 209 and Yu Jin, along with Zhang Liao, Zang Ba and several other prominent generals were sent to deal with it. Mei Cheng, with 3,000 soldiers, came out to surrender with Yu Jin. However when Yu Jin withdrew Mei Cheng joined up with Chen Lan and they made their fortification on Heavenly Pillar Peak after Zhang Liao and Zhu Gai chased them through the wilderness. Yu Jin would guard their supply line.[30] Sun Quan was sending aid in the form of his veteran general Han Dang, who was currently at Huancheng. Zang Ba was sent to fight him but was met with resistance. Instead of retreating Zang Ba's army hid on the banks of the river and when Han Dang's forces neared Zang Ba struck, delivering a fierce blow to his army. [31] Yu Jin soon was able to give supplies to Zhang Liao at the base of the mountain, and this allowed him, Zhang He and Zhu Gai to ascend the mountain and destroy the rebels, cutting off their heads. [32] Yu Jin's fief was increased greatly for his role in this victory.[33] There exists a poem on this battle written by Fan Qin, who was present, however I am not a translator and unable to provide it in English so I have chosen to omit it from this.

At this time Yu Jin held similar ranks to Yue Jin, Zhang Liao, Zhang He and Xu Huang, the finest generals under Wu-di who Chen Shou would dub the Five Great Generals. [34]

Yu Jin is described as a very generous commander, never keeping rewards to himself. He always gave them out to his soldiers, however his strict discipline never warmed him up to his men.[35] Wu-di and Zhu Ling had a falling out as Zhu Ling was not what one would describe a model officer. Though talented he did cause issues. Yu Jin was ordered to seize Zhu Ling's men, and so he marched with a small escort and did so. Despite how close Zhu Ling and his men were, Yu Jin's authority was so great the men accepted without protests. Yu Jin was promoted to General of the Left with Staff of Authority.[36]

Yu Jin's career has a rather lengthy span that isn't recrded as the next time he appears would be in 219. Having been recently victorious in Hanzhong, the Liu Bei sought to march eastward and attack Xu city. First he must break Fancheng and Xianyang which was fiercely guarded by Cao Ren. Liu Bei ordered Meng Da and Kou Feng to Shangyong while Guan Yu marched to northern Jingzhou. Liu Bei had declared himself King in an attempt to copy Gao-di, Liu Bang of the Han.[37] Cao Ren had set a series of seven large camps outside of Fancheng and Xiangyang with a seasoned general in each. General Who Supports Righteousness Pang De and General of the Left Yu Jin both commanded one of these camps. Yu Jin commanded seven divisions at the time.[38] In the eight month the rains were heavy and this caused the Han river to flood, the water came pouring over the plain.[39] The seven armies of Yu Jin were hit hard by this flood and attempted to flee to higher ground to escape him. Guan Yu's army arrived in great ships in order to attack. Yu Jin's forces, destroyed and exhausted, could not put up a fight and on the order of Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu.[40] Pang De and his army attempted to offer resistance, and it wasn't until every soldier under him surrendered or died that Pang De attempted to flee. However his boat he took flipped and he lost his weapon. Guan Yu then captured and executed him.[41] When Wu-di heard of what happened he sighed and spoke, "I knew Yu Jin for thirty years, and I never believed that when danger came he would show himself inferior to Pang De."[42] The assault on Fancheng was fierce, but Guan Yu could not overcome Cao Ren. His supplies were running low thanks to the surrender of Yu Jin and his soldiers so he lead a raid against Sun Quan's territory and siezed supplies. Not long after this Lu Meng of the Southlands would lead a masterful plan and seize southern Jingzhou from Guan Yu and Xu Huang would deliver a decisive defeat to Guan Yu. Guan Yu and his son Ping would be captured and executed.[43]

Yu Jin was taken by Sun Quan and would spend several years in his territory. Though Sun Quan treated him exceptionally well, Yu Fan would often berate him and treat him horribly.[44] In 221 Sun Quan would surrender to the new Emperor of Wei, Wen-di, and Yu Jin was sent back north. He was now aged into his 50s and had white hair. When he came before the Emperor he kowtowed and wept perfusly. Wen-di was sympathetic and appointed Yu Jin to be General Who Conquers Distant Lands and would serve as an ambassador to Wu.[45] Before he was to leave Wen-di ordered Yu Jin to head to Ye and pay his respects to Wu-di who died a year before. When Yu Jin arrived he saw a painting on the tomb of Pang De standing heroically while Yu Jin surrenders humiliatingly. Because of this Yu Jin felt great shame and died not long after[46] either taking his own life or due to illness.

And thus ends the story of Yu Jin. Truly he was one of Cao Cao's greatest commander. His efforts in keeping the army well disciplined prove pivotal with the ambush of Zhang Xiu, along with defending against Yuan Shao at Guandu. His role in nearly every campaign he participated in was truly instrumental. While he was a man of strict discipline who did not get the love his men, he always treated them exceptionally well and lavished them with wealth. He even saw to their survival by shaming himself when surrendering to Guan Yu. Sadly for him this story does not have a proper ending as Cao Pi, in a petty act, would use his own fathers tomb to shame him. I echo Sima Guang's words, "Cao Pi's act was not worthy of a sovereign". Yu Jin was truly a one of a kind, loyal general. Cao Cao's growth, and Cao Pi's Empire owe a great deal to Yu Jin.

My boy! Awesome job, these are really well done. Your anti-Shu bias is showing though

I'm trying to think of any other mentions off the top of my head but I can't, other than that memorial by Cao Cao in 207 about his, Yue Jin's and Zhang Liao's valor, which would correspond with Cao Cao's northern campaigns.

That one poem (not a reliable source, I know) had Yu Jin being sent from Xuchang instead of being stationed at Fan prior to 219, but in the novel he fights against Ma Chao, so it's possible there were sources that no longer exist that put him there. He was also near Zhu Ling (and Cao Cao), who also fought against Ma Chao, at some point between 209 and 216. It's such an odd 10-year gap in the record, but then again look at Yue Jin.

CaTigeReptile wrote:My boy! Awesome job, these are really well done. Your anti-Shu bias is showing though

I'm trying to think of any other mentions off the top of my head but I can't, other than that memorial by Cao Cao in 207 about his, Yue Jin's and Zhang Liao's valor, which would correspond with Cao Cao's northern campaigns.

That one poem (not a reliable source, I know) had Yu Jin being sent from Xuchang instead of being stationed at Fan prior to 219, but in the novel he fights against Ma Chao, so it's possible there were sources that no longer exist that put him there. He was also near Zhu Ling (and Cao Cao), who also fought against Ma Chao, at some point between 209 and 216. It's such an odd 10-year gap in the record, but then again look at Yue Jin.

Oh yeah! The poem! It's a thread somewhere here.

(Niu Gai as it turns out is probably actually Zhu Gai.)

Is the bias wrong though? Liu Bei was a bandit and he was trying to emulate Liu Bang.

That memorial is actually something I don't remember coming across. It could be referring to Yu Jin's role in putting down Chang Xi, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that he did take part in Cao Cao's Northern Campaigns though.

I was wrestling with what to include in his 10 year gap. I knew of the poem myself but I decided against throwing it in there since it's something I can't confirm.

You're absolutely right about Zhu Gai, I had to go back through the Rafe's tome and double check. So used to typing out Nui Gai.

DaoLunOfShiji wrote:Is the bias wrong though? Liu Bei was a bandit and he was trying to emulate Liu Bang.

That memorial is actually something I don't remember coming across. It could be referring to Yu Jin's role in putting down Chang Xi, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that he did take part in Cao Cao's Northern Campaigns though.

I was wrestling with what to include in his 10 year gap. I knew of the poem myself but I decided against throwing it in there since it's something I can't confirm.

You're absolutely right about Zhu Gai, I had to go back through the Rafe's tome and double check. So used to typing out Nui Gai.

The memorial is in Yue Jin's SGZ.

And yeah Niu Gai is such a better name Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

“Excelling in martial arts, well endowed in tactics, possessing great loyalty, upholding high sense of discipline; in every battle, they often led by examples, and strived to overcome strong obstacles, dispelling all strong resistances, often striking their own drums, without showing any sign of fatigue in their hands. They were dispatched on expeditions, and made leaders of their units, where they managed to bring harmony and comfort to the multitudes, never defying orders, and were able to made timely decisions in the face of the enemies, with no sign of extravagance. Hence, based on their meritorious services (from the records of the court), it would be fitting if favours are bestowed to them.” As such, Yue Jin was promoted to be Hu Wei Jiang Jun (Tiger Might General) while Yu Jin was promoted to be Zhe Zhong Jiang Jun and Zhang Liao was promoted to be Dang Kou Jiang Jun.

He was very poor at following orders, at least on a few specific occasions. When Cao Cao told Zhu Ling to go and chase down Liu Bei after he had been on campaign with him, Zhu Ling said he couldn't do it because he was too close to home, so Liu Bei got away. Or the time he refused to listen to Cao Cao when he told him to go easy on his soldiers as he had been far too strict, even more-so than Yu Jin which... that's impressive. The men ended up rebelling and Zhu Ling had to execute some of them. He also apparently continued to bother Cao Cao enough that he had his command taken away temporarily and Yu Jin was needed to step in.

That's not to say Zhu Ling wasn't talented or anything, he absolutely was as noted by his contemporaries comparing him to Xu Huang, and I personally love the guy dearly. He just wasn't the picture perfect general.

That's interesting about Zhu Ling. He has kind of been viewed as the victim from what I gather for quite some time, but he was a little bit of a stubborn butthole, haha

And reading about Yu Jin's ultimate fate is always a bummer for me. As you suggest near the end of your bio, his decision may have spared the lives of his remaining men (why fight a losing battle). And given how decorated of a career he had, even considering the time period, I find it odd that Cao Cao would be recorded as holding an opinion like that. It's just a little too on the weird side for me to take all of the details surrounding his surrender and last few years at face value.

DaoLunOfShiji wrote:He also served with distinction against Lu Bu in Xiapi and Gui Gu at Siquan, even killing Gui Gu.[20] He also took part in operations against Yuan Shu and defeated Sui Gu.[21]

Sorry, im a little bit confused here. killing Gui Gu? wasn't Sui Gu and Gui Gu was the same person? how come he kill him and then defeated him later on?

Its a shame though such good general, all his long time achievement were wipe clean just because he surrendered to enemy once. No one complained when that long beard bandit surrender and then left after being treated so kindly. Perhaps, Yu Jin was so kind that even people ally and foe alike love to belittle him, just think of it, if anyone belittle that treacherous long beard, their head would be rolled on the ground.

Everyone has flaws. It's a matter of finding the ones you can live with.